About

The Central Louisiana Community Foundation (CLCF) is a local, private nonprofit organization that encourages effective giving from people who care about Central Louisiana. CLCF prudently invests these funds to increase the financial capacity for philanthropy across our region. CLCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (TIN: 72-1446378), led by a volunteer Board of Trustees formed from our region’s leading citizens and managed by a small professional staff. The legal name for use in wills, trusts and similar documents is the Central Louisiana Community Foundation.

CLCF operations are sustained through management fees, investment income, grants, donations and Foundation membership. Click here to become a Foundation member or click hereto make a donation to any of the existing funds or click herestart a new fund.

What CLCF Does

Builds awareness of the opportunities for philanthropy across a 12-parish service area

Promotes charitable giving for the enhancement of the quality of life.

Helps local nonprofits communicate their missions and challenges better so they can inspire greater support to carry their work further.

Assist people in making wise choices about their giving, encouraging local donations, whenever possible.

Make grants for activities that make life better for people of the area, through Donor Advised Funds.

Establish, build, invest and steward endowments so our community treasures can exist in perpetuity.

Our Story

In early 1989, community leaders suggested that Central Louisiana needed a community foundation. Through a series of discussions it was determined that a foundation would need substantial assets to have a paid director and exist as a viable foundation. Sources were considered and only half the necessary funding seemed possible, so the opportunity was deferred.

Ten years later, Central Louisiana leaders again recognized the need for a local community foundation to further the vision of local philanthropists. Eleven local leaders with the help of the Greater New Orleans Foundation leadership met, and a decision was made to go forward.

The necessary documentation to incorporate was gathered and, by May 1999, the Central Louisiana Community Foundation was a Louisiana Not for Profit Corporation, which five weeks later was granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Early funding came from the Coughlin-Saunders Foundation and The Rapides Foundation, as well as contributions from the founding members. A part-time executive director was hired, and the board began to meet to craft mission, vision and goals statements, which have been revised and refined to serve the Foundation into the present day.

Norman Martin served as the first volunteer leader, followed by Edward Crump. Later leaders included Wayne Denley, Brent Pearson, Curman Gaines, Wylie Cavin, Arnold Task, Henry Blake, David Britt, Glenda Stock, Brenner Sadler, Coan Knight, Martin Johnson, and CLCF is currently lead by Chad Soprano.

Today, CLCF holds assets of over $15 million in nearly 100 funds serving scores of organizations, all for the betterment of our community. Millions of dollars have been have distributed in grants to provide direct assistance, and the Foundation maintains formal and informal agreements with various organizations to help them in various other ways to pursue worthwhile missions.

Highlights of the Foundation’s past work:

Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Cleco EmPowers Fund was established within the Foundation to assist Cleco customers and employees affected by the storms. More than $375,000 in assistance was distributed to those whose lives were disrupted through damage or loss of their homes.

In 2008 the Community Foundation assisted the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in the establishment of endowments that now have assets of more than $1,000,000 to provide a new level of financial stability to the orchestra.

In 2009 the Community Foundation led a partnership that formed the Celebration of Philanthropy, now an annual event that recognizes the good that comes from charitable giving across our region.

The Community Foundation began making its Community Impact Awards in 2010, which annually provides an award to an individual nonprofit in the region with a single grant to significantly impact the region.

In 2011, the Foundation partnered with Keller Enterprises and the Food Bank of Central Louisiana to establish The Good Food Project, establishing community gardens and related educational programming to encourage better nutrition and healthy lifestyles across our community.

CLCF expanded its investment offerings in 2012 and bolstered its ability to accept a wider range of gifts including real estate, trusts and gift annuities to accelerate the grow of the funds we hold. Now, agencies across our region are benefiting from a new level of gift planning.

The Central Louisiana Community Foundation continues to work across our region to assist both donors and nonprofits in achieving their philanthropic goals, building a legacy for the future and connecting people with priorities they care about.

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